The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-12-08
POLLY'S BISCUIT.
And Her Choice Of a Defender in
a Pending Suit.

polly. don't buy your pearls to-
day" Polly Rutherford looked up
quickly from the jewelers. case she was
bending over. and saw MIR. McIlwaine
standing at her side.
"Why shouldn't buy to-day?' she
cried. Il have had this hundred dollars
in gold for almost year, Mr.. Nell
-waine, trying to make up my mind what
wanted most. Now. my birthday is
almost here again; and l am afraid
grandpa will make this do for two
birthdays, if don't hurry and spend
it"
But Polly's gay little laugh was
checked by look ofunmistakable COM
passion in the gentleman's eyes. The
color faded little from her bright
Young face, but she would not ask any
questions here in the crowded store.
You may put them back to-day. Mr..
West" she said to the jeweler. Ill
come again Tomorrow
Every well, Miss Rutherford" said
the vexed salesman, cOncealing his
disappointment 81 shall reserve them
for YOU"
Polly left the tempting store with
Mr.. McIlwaine, and, once on the street,
turning upon him a pair of frank.
questioning eyes, which he found hard
to answer.
Paul McIlwaine was a friend of the
Rutherford family, but not specially of
little Polly. She was only sixteen. a
mere child to the Woodworking lawyer
of thirty, and one whom he considered
rs altogether frivolous and empty. Polly
was an only daughter, living with a
widowed mother in her grandfather's
elegant house; and if she was not Il
spoiled girl, it was not the fault of the
-doting old grandfather. whose idol she
had been from her babyhood.
what did you mean, Mr. Nell
waine?" she asked. presently, finding
that the questioning look brought no
reply. And then, seeing how cmbar-
rassed he seemed about answering, she
said. with n sudden fear: Have you
been at grandpa's since left? Is any
thing the matter?"
They are all we'll" he said, answer
ing the thought which he knew was in
her mind; "but something has hap
pened, Polly, of course, or l would not
have interfered with your purchase"
10. tell me, tell mer' said the girl,
in an agitated voice. ''Wby do you
keep me in suspense?"
What blunderer / ami" thought
her companion. IF 1 tell her out here
-on the street, there will be 4 scene. But
am in for it now, and if l don't tell
her suppose there will be scene.
That's the way with these fine young
ladies'"
at is hard thing to say to you.
Polly; but your grandfather has failed"
Failed" repeated Polly, vaguely;
''you mean he has lost all his money?
Is that all ? Is that what you were
afraid to tell me?'
THAT ALI means good deal more
than you seem to understand" said
Paul Mcllwaine, impatiently. at
means loss and disappointment and
poverty to one of the best gentlemen
in the world. 1t means hard work to
your mother. who has no strength for
work; to you
He stopped, and Polly said quickly,
feeling the tinge of contempt in his
Stone:
Never mind about ME. But see
NOW how bad it will be. Poor grand
pa! Mr.. McIlwaine. does-must-will
anybody else lose by grandpa's fail
ure?"
ut is too soon to say positively" he
replied, ''but think not think he
has quit business in time to save his
creditors any appreciablc loss"
Polly's head was up now. and her
eyes shining. Dear old grandpa"
she said, ''bless his heart! / am
ashamed that asked the question. l
might have known! But, oh! I'm so
much obliged to YOU for keeping me
from spending my hundred dollars. Il
was very kind of you, very. 1 don't
know how you came to find me. How
dong have You known about grandpa?"
1T only came out this morning, and
took us all entirely by surprise. But
here we are st your door. Goodbye,
my dear. If can be of service to you
IN any way Che had meant to offer her
money. but he was suddenly afraid to
speak of such thing to the spirited
looking girl before him), remember the
hong intimacy between our families
gives me right to help you"
THANK you," she said, simply. 1t
was all she had voice for; and using
her latch-key, she lei herself into the
house.
BLESS me-" said the young lawyer.
% he walked off shut the girl has